Events and Exhibits Commemorate 1863 Battle of Springfield, Marmaduke's Raid and Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln’s coming to the Library, along with bushwhackers, minstrels and scholars. They’re part of a series of events and exhibits beginning Tuesday at the Library Center to observe the 150th anniversaries of the Civil War’s Battle of Springfield, Marmaduke’s Raid and the Emancipation Proclamation. All live events will take place at the Library Center unless noted.
You won’t want to miss any of these events, made possible by the Missouri Humanities Council and with support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Friends of the Library and several other generous partners.
Tuesday at noon on Park Central Square, the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation will celebrate the creation of new Battle of Springfield markers to be placed at downtown sites where events occurred. A reception follows at the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County on Park Central Square.
That night at 6:30 p.m., in the Library Center, learn how Springfield civilians, local militia and convalescing soldiers overcame Confederates in “Quinine and Courage: Marmaduke’s Raid on Springfield.”
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Fritz Klein as Abraham Lincoln will give his presidential and personal views on slavery, emancipation and Missouri’s role in the war.
Thursday at 6:30 p.m., see and learn about artifacts from Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. At 7:30 p.m. watch a collection of short dramas, “The Lucy Chronicles.”
On Friday at 6:30 p.m., learn about the Battle of Hartville, which followed the clash in Springfield and was part of Confederate Gen. John Marmaduke’s raid on the Ozarks. At 7:30 p.m., history scholar Diane Mutti Burke will look at small-scale slavery in households and neighborhoods in Missouri counties.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, see the film, “Ride with the Devil” about the divided Missouri during the Civil War, and stay for a discussion about how slavery, secession and emancipation sharpened the Missouri-Kansas border divisions.
Notorious bushwhacker Alf Bolin and bushwhacker hunter John R. Kelso are the subjects of talks about notorious guerrilla fighters at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The series wraps up at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 with a concert by the Holmes Brigade Minstrels, who recreate the music of a Civil War soldier’s camp life.
Exhibits around Springfield and Hartville round out the series. Learn more at thelibrary.org/battleofspringfield, or pick up a program at one of the library branches.
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